Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-05-26
BLAKE At Liberty.
Notorious Criminal Completes
His Torup sna Raxu ftasxla Ten

Notorious Criminal Completes
His Torm at New Castle Jnll.
Charles Blake, the well-known crimi-
nal, was released from New Castle Jail,
Monday, after serving term of three
years inside the prison walls. Blake was
convicted at the May term, 1884, for
bncglariously entering the house of
loshnt l.. Pussy, on November 18th,
1883, and stealing an umbrella and IA pair
of gold spectacles. Other articles we're
stolen and he was suspected OF beiIg con.
cerned in other robberies, but only the
| speotacles and umbrella could be traced
to him. He was gived stiff burg larry
sentence, however an hour in the
| pillory, 30 lashes and three years i'm
prisonment. Through the pleading of
his sister Governor Stookley remitto,l the
lashaH.
Before three months had elapsed Blake
tried to escape bnt was caught by the
warden nj tho street door. Shortly after
wards, married woman of this city, who
frequently visited him in his cell, gave
him key that unlocked the door, and he
| slipped out, on the 18th of September,
but was captured by the police in this
city. two days later, while drunk. On
December 18th he escaped from prison
about 4.3O O'Clock, p. M, it is supposed
by scaling the Jail yard wall while the
warden WIS not looking, being on
gagged at the time in taking tho
usual daily half hour of exercise allowed
prisoners. Charles Oopeley,a horse thief,
nrnnniy.nniad him, They were at liberty,
however, only two days, as Officer Mar.
guess, member Of ex-Mayor Wales'
police force, got on their trail and came
up with them near Oxford, Pa. Blake
ran, but bullet from the officers pistol
penetrated his right ankle and brought |
him to the gronnd. He was returned to |
Jail, and for awhile tho wound gave him |
great trouble, but finally yielded TO treat |
ment. He then remained in Jail until |
Monday.
BY actual count from the day of sem
tenoe his term expired on Thursday last,
on which day Harry Emmons, Esq, APP |
peared In court and asked for his dis |
charge. The court, however, held that |
he must spend in Jail the four days he |
was at liberty, and he was accordingly |
detained until Monday.
In addition to his record as notorious
s'crook" and burglar, gIamor of romance
surrounded Blake during his entire term
at New Castle. Women admirers kept
him supplied with flowers, fruits and
dainty furnishing for his cell, and in
September, 1884, Sheriff Martin per-
mitted him TO be married to the woman
of his choice. The bride was Miss Gussie
Turner of Philadelphia, and the wedding
took place in the cell. She has since
been assiduous in her attentions to him
and was at the Jail when he was released.
They walked around the streets Of New
CASTLE until evening and then took the
~ train for Philadelphia. Blake was
clean shaven, except as to his natty black
and looked exceedingly well.
Recently he signed pledge to abstain
from Intoxicating liquors and declared
to the sheriff and others at the jail his in
IGNITION of loading q respectable life. II
will not be the fault Of his devoted wife if
he fails to adhere to this laudable deter
mination.